Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-08-20

did that he was of no account, and yet
the old man told me repeatedly that he
would get the black fellow in shape and
then he would run from 'e'en to cen
just like his daddy did.
II was in a quandary about that
Gainesville race. didn't like old Johns
mare, and 1 was afraid of that Texas
mare. didn't know which way to place
my money, and began to think that my
usual good luck had deserted me. l had
about made up my mind to let the race
60 without ticket, and SO stand on the
side and see you fellows get left. 1t was
the day before the race and l had made
an early start in order to see the Dallas
horse get his fast mile. was rather
pleased with the showing he made, and
felt that had pointer to work on for
that race at least. In this mood I wan
dered around the stables, chatting with
a rubber here, a driver there and nimble
jockey next. Their talk had put me in
splendid humor, and l was not sur
prised when 1 was hailed with:
"'Hello, boss, how is we dis mornin' p
81 turned around and found Smoke
bowling and scraping at my elbow.
elbows the big colt?' l asked.
"'Well, boss, likes him awful well
dis mornin' He looked his work well,
went so fast he burned de wind an never
switched de tail once. 1 'spect dat Teller
is purity nigh due, an Pse gwine to
watch him close, for dis niggah wants
some new clothes and dat brack debbil
has got to yearn EN-.
"Of course laughed at Smoke for I
knew he thought the colt the fastest ami
NAL in the South, yet l felt that the boy
was honest in his opinion, and so that
night 1 bought few pools on him, pay
ing a dollar for the privilege of winning
over hundred with each ticket.
1.-THE morning of the race found me at
the track bright and early, and soon the
dyers are spinning around the circle.
The old mare came out all blanketed and
was giving us sample of the slow gal
lop; then the Texas gray circled round
and round the track in her usual short,
quick gallop. l didn't pay much atten-
ton to the others, for thought the race
was between these two, and, possibly,
the Longfellow colt. l missed Smoke
and the colt, but this didn't bother me
any; in fact, l had forgotten all about the
tickets had in my pocket until passed
the colts box and saw Smoke looking
at the colt in a sorrowful way.
"'Hello, "Smoke;" do you ride the win
ner to-day?' l asked.
"I dreamed did last night, boss, but
de internal brack debbil acts the rogue
dis mornin', and wants to jump de fence,
replied the black.
"'Dreamed you rode winner. Why,
Smoke" have you taken to drinkp I
semi-seriously questioned.
"'No, boss, | hasn't drinked drop so
far, and / reckons it's too late to begin
training now. But eff didn't dream dat
won de race wild dat brack debbil, |
hopes dat may nebber see my ole mud
der again
"'Now, Smoke" do you think Pm
going to believe that yarn? replied.
The rascal looked at me, and then looked
up and down the walk in front of the
boxes. He then pulled me in and shut
the doors. The blankets were quickly
pulled off the colt, and he was picture.
His jet black coat glistened in the dim
light that struggled through the small
window at the end of the stall, and, all
in all, he looked the picture of his
fieet-footed and game sire. His bright
eyes seemed to belle the story Of his